The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has issued a warning against scammers offering immigration services to foreign nationals.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco reiterated the warning against scammers who offer to fix BI-related documents after two separate interceptions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the BI Main Office.
Intercepted by BI airport personnel at the NAIA Terminal 1 was an American citizen who presented a spurious exit clearance.
An exit clearance is required of foreign nationals who stay in the country for more than six months under a temporary visitors’ visa.
Immigration officers reported that upon inspection, they noticed that the document contained various discrepancies, including misspelling the name of Tansingco. Upon verification with their centralized database, it was found out that no such clearance was issued by the BI.
The American was denied boarding and was turned over to the BI’s Legal Division for proper disposition.
Tansingco also denied the applications for Provisional Work Permit (PWP) of 36 Indonesians petitioned by two Makati-based internet marketing and customer support service companies.
The companies, according to the BI, submitted fake Alien Employment Permits (AEP) as part of their application. AEPs are a prerequisite in the issuance of PWPs.
The applications of the 36 Indonesians were denied and their cases forwarded to the BI’s legal division to initiate action against the petitioner and the applicants.
“We issue a warning to foreign nationals not to avail of illegal offers. We have around 60 offices nationwide, and are expanding to ensure that services are closer to the people. There is really no excuse not to comply with immigration laws,” Tansingco added.